SANTA MONICA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / October 18, 2024 / On the morning of October 19, 2024, volunteers and walkers from Los Angeles, California, are joining the quarter of a million people walking in towns across the United States to draw attention to the fight for suicide prevention.
The annual AFSP Santa Monica Out of the Darkness Community Walk, hosted by the Greater Los Angeles & Central Coast Chapter will be held at 10:00 a.m. PDT (check-in and event activities begin at 9:00 a.m.) at the World Famous Santa Monica Pier. This community awareness and fundraising walk supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's public education and support programs, life-saving research, and advocacy work at the state and federal levels.
"Suicide touches one in five American families. We hope that by walking and connecting with one another, we will draw attention to this issue and keep other families from experiencing a suicide loss. Our ultimate goal is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide, "said Louisa Rocque, Executive Director, Greater Los Angeles & Central Coast.
â€AFSP's Santa Monica‬†Out of the Darkness Community Walk is one of nearly 400 AFSP Out of the‬ Darkness Community Walks being held nationwide this year. The walks are expected to unite more than‬ 300,000 walkers and raise millions for suicide prevention efforts.‬†Last year, these walks raised over $21‬ million for suicide prevention. The Santa Monica Out of the Darkness Community Walk raised over‬ $168,000 and had over 1,100 participants in 2023.‬
Speakers and musical guests at the AFSP Santa Monica Out of the Darkness Community‬†Walk will‬ include speakers such as Niyc Pidgeon and Tammie Frank. The event will also include musical‬ performances by DJ/Music Producer,‬†Scott Kirkland from The Crystal Method, JRae, and Jensen Gering.‬
The program's emcee, returning for a third year will be‬†Audacy's, Ally Johnson, co-host of the Klein/Ally‬ morning show on KROQ 106.7 FM.â€
"This year we want people to join us in walking to create a world without suicide" said‬†AFSP CEO Robert‬ Gebbia‬â€. "By walking you are helping AFSP make progress‬†in prevention through research, advocacy,‬ education and support to those affected by suicide. I'm in awe of our courageous volunteers who are‬ lifting their voices to inform local and national leaders of the support needed to reduce suicide and save‬ lives."
â€The Santa Monica Out of the Darkness Walk sponsors include‬†Crowe‬â€,‬†Providence‬â€,‬†Ocean View Adult‬ Psychiatric Hospital‬â€,‬†Colourpop‬â€, Shake Shack‬â€, Find Your Anchor‬†and‬†DMH/LASPN‬â€.
To sign up for the Santa Monica Out of the Darkness Walk, please visit‬†www.afsp.org/lawalk‬â€. ‬
Check-in/Registration, activities and Community Partners Resource Fair begins at 9:00 a.m., the opening‬ ceremony is at 10:00 a.m. with a 2.4 mile walk immediately following. Walk donations are accepted until‬ December 31, 2024‬†www.afsp.org/lawalk‬.
About American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
‬The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention‬†is‬†dedicated to saving lives and bringing hope to those‬ affected by suicide, including those who have experienced a‬†loss‬â€. AFSP creates a culture that's smart‬ about mental health through education and community programs, develops suicide prevention through‬ research and advocacy, and provides support for those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia‬ and headquartered in New York, with a public policy office in Washington, D.C., AFSP has local chapters‬ in all 50 states, including Puerto Rico, with programs and events nationwide. Learn more about AFSP in its latest‬†Annual Report‬â€, and join the conversation‬†on suicide prevention by following AFSP on‬†Facebook‬â€,‬†Twitter‬â€,‬†Instagram‬â€, and‬†YouTube‬â€.
Contact Information:
Louisa Rocque, Executive Director
[email protected]
Greater Los Angeles & Central Coast
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
(424) 327-7101
https://afsp.org/
SOURCE: American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)